Nonprofits are the backbone of social services in the United States. Hundreds of nonprofits and charities commit themselves to the support and outreach of those needing help, regardless of the situation. Unlike your local Target or Walmart, these foundations can only function with financial donations.
While you may not be able to physically volunteer at a nonprofit near you, plenty of charities accept financial donations year-round. If you want to invest in the well-being of others like you, check out these unique charities that should be on your radar.
1. The 501st Legion
If you want to support a group of nerds making a difference, consider donating to the 501st Legion. While they might not be prepared to follow Lord Vader into battle, members of this group construct and wear screen-accurate costumes, all in the name of fandom and benefit work. Can you imagine a group of Star Wars villains entering a hospital to cheer up sick children? Your donation to The 501st Legion can make that visit possible. Not many charities have pledged their allegiance to the Dark Side.
2. Goats of Anarchy
Unlike the Sons of Anarchy, these goats aren’t involved in illegal arms trade. Goats of Anarchy is a sanctuary that cares for farm animals with disabilities. Unfortunately, on many traditional farms, these animals would be euthanized or live short lives thanks to their health concerns. When Goats of Anarchy rescues an animal, they receive rehabilitative care, top-notch veterinary medicine, and lots of love from caretakers and visitors alike.
3. Night to Shine
Tim Tebow (yes, the former Quarterback) created Night to Shine to bring a one-of-a-kind prom experience to individuals with developmental disabilities. Volunteers working with Night to Shine roll out a red carpet and give their guests makeovers, including hair and makeup.
I’ve spent over five years working with the developmentally disabled population, and many of my clients looked forward to attending Night to Shine each year. If you want to contribute more than just financially, check with local organizations to see if they’re planning on hosting an event. Most Night to Shine proms are held in churches, so if you’re struggling to find an event hear you, try checking with local parishes.
4. The Coffee Trust
62% of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee daily, and we here at CHC fully endorse caffeination whenever possible. The Coffee Trust was founded in 2008 with the goal of helping indigenous coffee farmers grow sustainably, increase income, and guide their communities into self-sustaining entities centered around their farming practices. By donating to The Coffee Trust, you’ll support ethical coffee consumption and indigenous communities around the world.
5. Knots of Love
I recently cleaned out my yarn hoard, and if you work with yarn or have a friend who does, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Regardless of your intentions to buy less, skeins and skeins of colorful fiber build up in your home until you quite literally have nowhere to put it. I solved my yarn overconsumption by making beanies for Knots of Love.
Knots of Love donates knit and crocheted hats to cancer patients. Your beanie can be any color, size, or style, so don’t be afraid to try out new patterns and clean out that yarn stash! Once you’re done, bring or mail your completed projects to a Knots of Love distributor, who will make sure your beanies make it to someone in need.
6. To Write Love On Her Arms
Mental health deserves to be in the spotlight, and the mission of To Write Love On Her Arms is incredible. Founder Jamie sought to help a friend, Renee, enter treatment to address her mental health concerns. Once Renee entered treatment, Jamie and some friends were able to help pay for her care by selling t-shirts.
To Write Love On Her Arms directly invests in agencies that can help those struggling with mental health. You can donate to them directly or purchase shirts, sweatshirts, and more from their online store in the spirit of Renee’s story.
7. Lasagna Love
Lasagna Love was founded during the Covid-19 pandemic, when founder Rhiannon started to cook and deliver meals to those around her who needed a little extra help. Demand quickly grew, and soon, Rhiannon needed others to help cook and donate food to keep up with demand. The movement took off, and now people from three different countries provide home cooked meals to families free of charge. If your cooking skills are lackluster, you can make a financial gift.
8. NaNoWriMo
Culture Hub Collective loves supporting up and coming writers! If you feel the same, consider donating to NaNoWriMo, a unique charity that challenges novelists to write 50,000 words during the month of November, which breaks down to nearly 1800 words a day. Besides offering a fun competition, NaNoWriMo helps connect participants who live in the same geographic area by encouraging meet ups and workshops. They also support bookstores, other charities, and libraries in encouraging literacy in children and adults.
9. Gold Ribbon Rescue
I love my dogs, and feel very fortunate that I’m able to not only afford all of their necessary care, but also spoil them. The three of us like to give back when we can, and last winter, we donated to Gold Ribbon Rescue.
This charity supports the rescue, foster, and adoption of golden retrievers. Monetary donations go towards medical care and training for the dogs in Gold Ribbon Rescue’s care. If you want to get a little something back, they offer clothing and an adorable calendar featuring pictures of golden’s they rescued. If you’re fortunate enough to live locally, you can even volunteer to foster and adopt a dog.
